Gary Franks: “Thomas James Petteway was a civic leader who was needed at his time, but he was also a civic leader who was truly ahead…”

“Thomas James Petteway was a civic leader who was needed at his time, but he was also a civic leader who was truly ahead of his time. And for all of us who knew and loved him, Tom will be missed by us all the time. For his sisters and brothers, in-laws, nieces, and nephews and the many cousins, especially those that make up the branch of the Petteway family, now led by my mother Jenary Petteway Franks, we all loved Tom Petteway. But Tom was easy to love. Family came first with Tom, And he loved his family. He was a good, decent individual. Anything Tom Petteway did, he did it well, And he did a lot. He served his country in the Army during WWII with distinction. He later presided over an area veterans club. He was an active member of the community. Tom was an active member of the Republican Party. Back when Tom registered to vote most blacks registered with the Republican Party. Unlike many, Tom stayed with the Republican Party over the years. I remember white old timers in the Republican Party telling me stories about Tom Petteway. I remember blacks, like Kay Wyrick, telling me about the Black Republican Club in which Tom headed at one time. Whites and blacks talked of Tom with sincere affection and admiration. But who could not remember his distinctive voice. Tom was a proud, articulate, well-educated man whose mere presence was felt by all whenever he appeared in a room.”